Toyota posts 31% rise in Middle East sales

Toyota has announced strong growth of 31 percent in sales across the Middle East in 2012.

The Japanese auto giant said it delivered 660,285 vehicles last year, making 2012 a record year in the region for the Toyota and Lexus brands.

Globally, sales of Toyota and Lexus cars totalled 8.72 million units, an increase of 23 percent compared to 2011.

Across the GCC region alone, Toyota said in a statement that it sold 624,400 vehicles.

It added that it had maintained its position at the top of the GCC automotive industry with a further increase to 43 percent in its market share, up four percent on 2011.

In October, Toyota said it was recalling approximately 490,000 vehicles across the Middle East following the discovery of a defect in power-window switches.

The recall impacted 14 separate models and will involve about 7.43m cars worldwide.

Toyota said it introduced a range of new and re-designed models in the Middle East during 2012.